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“How do I get the ring size?” This is the most common question I get before a customer places an engagement ring order. If you want to keep the proposal a surprise, getting the right ring size can definitely be a challenge. However, over the years, I have come up with 5 tips and ideas that should help you get the exact ring size!

Although the following ideas on how to get a ring size are written to get a woman’s ring size, these are gender neutral tips and can be used for a man as well!

1. A Story: Your Good Friend is Proposing

Have one of your good friends that is in a serious relationship text or call your girlfriend and tell her that he is thinking of proposing soon, and that he needs help with the ring size. He could say something like “She seems to have hands really similar to yours, so would you mind getting measured and letting me know what your ring size is? I already asked her mom and sister and they have no idea.” This could end up working really well.

2. This made up formula can help you get the ring size

One day, casually pretend you are on your phone scrolling through Facebook and ask her for her shoe size and explain it is for this thing you saw on Facebook. When she tells you the shoe size, use this made up formula: shoe size divided by 2 plus 1.5 gives you your ring size. Once you do the calculation, ask her if the ring size is indeed what you calculated, and she will hopefully laugh it off and tell you how wrong that formula is because her actual ring size is “X”!

3. Do not use a string to measure ring size

One common method to get ring size that many people suggest is to use a string and tie it around the finger when your loved one is sleeping. I strongly do not recommend this. Every fraction of a millimeter results in a different ring size, and going with this method has a lot of room for error. If you go with this method it will almost definitely get you the incorrect ring size, and you might as well guess the ring size from these statistics.

4. Do not go for a larger ring size on purpose

Many online articles suggest purposely purchasing a larger ring from the start to make sure it fits during the proposal. This is a terrible idea for two reasons:

Even if the ring you order is a quarter or half size too small, no problem! It will still go on the finger during the proposal, but will just feel a little bit snug. This is better than a ring being too loose and it falling off!
Contrary to popular belief, it is as easy to resize a ring up as it is to resize a ring down!
5. Only buy from a jeweler that will resize your ring for free, for life

This is an important one. Make sure that the jeweler you purchase your ring from will resize your ring for free, for life. Though many jewelers may offer “one free resize” or multiple resizes within 30 days, this is not enough. People change overtime and this could very well mean a person’s hands and fingers will change in size.

All of our rings are resized for free, for life, and I’m sure there are a few other jewelers out there that do the same. I would recommend looking into us or one of those jewelers so that you don’t need to worry about paying for resizing down the road.

If you need any other help or advice on ring size, or about engagement rings in general, do not hesitate to contact me!

Oval diamonds are my favorite type of diamond. They are elegant, unique, and very brilliant. I know a lot about them, and I proposed with one myself (the oval diamond and dainty engagement ring at the top of this page is the ring I purchased for my fiancé)! If you are looking for oval diamond engagement rings, here are some of the benefits of choosing one, as well as very important tips on choosing one.

Oval Diamonds Appear Larger Than You’d Expect

When most of us think of diamond size, we envision the top surface of a round diamond. If you replaced that round diamond with an oval diamond that’s the same carat weight, the top surface would usually appear to be larger. This is because an oval diamond often has a greater surface area than a round diamond of the same weight. For example, an average 1 carat oval diamond has a 10% larger surface area than an average 1 carat round diamond. This means that you can get a diamond that looks larger, for a lower price.

Oval Diamond Engagement Rings Make The Fingers Look More Slender

Because an oval diamond is elongated, oval diamond engagement rings may give the illusion of slightly longer and more slender fingers. Whether this is a good thing or bad thing is a personal choice.

The Length to Width Ratio is Important

All oval diamonds in our diamond search engine will have a length to width ratio listed. This ratio will help you gauge how narrow or wide the diamond is. A greater length to width ratio means the diamond will be longer and skinnier, while a lower length to width ratio means the diamond is more circular (a round diamond has a length to width ratio of 1). Most people prefer oval diamonds with a length to width ratio from 1.3 to 1.7, however this is completely up to you. I personally prefer oval diamonds with a length to width ratio in the 1.4 to 1.6 range.

You Should Not Pay More for an Oval Diamond

While oval diamonds are more rare than round and princess-cut diamonds, they are also in less demand. You should not have to increase your budget when looking for oval diamond engagement rings.

Oval Diamond Engagement Rings are Very Sparkly

An oval diamond is cut the same way as a round diamond, and so even though a round diamond has the most brilliance of all diamond shapes, an oval diamond is very close. Oval diamond engagement rings are perfect for someone who likes the brilliance of a round diamond, but wants something more unique.

Warning: Oval diamonds are not graded by the GIA for cut. In order to end up with a beautiful oval diamond engagement ring, make sure your jeweler understands the optimum oval diamond cut specifications. The below table should help you narrow down your choices, but never buy an oval diamond based on the certificate only. You really need to find someone that will perform a visual inspection before you purchase the stone.

Most oval diamonds have something called a bow-tie effect. This effect occurs when light doesn’t bounce back in the middle of the diamond because of the way the diamond is cut. While most diamond cutters agree that this is part of the beauty of the oval diamond, you do not want the bow-tie effect to be too severe. Because bow-tie effect isn’t taken into consideration when grading a diamond, it is not noted on a diamond certificate. The only way to gauge how severe a diamond’s bow-tie is is through visual inspection. Below is a picture from the visual inspection I performed before purchasing my fiance’s diamond. Her diamond has a small bow-tie in the middle, and I like this picture because the contrasting black background makes the bow-tie easy to see. This is the same diamond that’s pictured at the top of the blog post, where you can see that the bow-tie effect is fairly small and beautiful.

Always have your jeweler perform a visual inspection of your oval diamond to make sure it does not have a severe bow-tie. If you’re considering Do Amore for your oval diamond engagement ring, then contact us and we can assist you in finding a beautiful oval diamond, without a severe bow-tie, that’s within your budget! Since oval diamond engagement rings are my favorite, feel free to ask for me personally (my name is Krish).

Simple engagement rings are one of my favorite engagement ring categories. When shopping for the perfect engagement ring for your perfect proposal, it’s easy to get caught up in what is popular nowadays. Since that’s what marketers are showing us, we think trends are more permanent than they are. But style changes over time, just like clothes. Which is why simple engagement rings are so wonderful.

These rings not only put the focus on what’s important, but are also elegant and timeless! Nothing too flashy or experimental, yet dazzling and simple. Though many people think of vintage rings when they think of simple engagement rings, not all simple rings are vintage, and not all vintage rings are simple. Here is a guide to finding the perfect simple engagement ring.

Examples of Simple Engagement Rings

What’s the first thing people think when you say ‘simple engagement rings’?

Usually, solitaire engagement rings.

So what’s a solitaire? Solitaires refer to an engagement ring that is made up only of metal, and a single stone.

TIP: If you decide to purchase a solitaire, be sure to pick a jeweler who slightly modifies to solitaire setting to reflect the center stone size. Otherwise, your simple engagement ring won’t have the elegant, simple look. For example, if buying a simple four prong engagement ring like the Asha Ring below, never pick a setting that is the same size for every center stone size. All of our settings at Do Amore are always made from scratch for each and every order, and so our solitaires are slightly modified so that the width, height, and overall dimensions of the ring are proportional to the center stone size. Our dimensions listed on the page are fairly accurate for an average 1 carat stone size, but it will be modified slightly based on your individual stone size. Here are a few of our favorites:

Keep this in mind when picking a solitaire for your simple engagement ring:

Most of the focus will be on the stone since that is the only “sparkly” thing to look at it in the ring. The eyes naturally focus on that. So pick a solitaire that reflects the style you want, but one that’s also good for a lifestyle.

In addition to solitaire rings, we can also classify rings with side stones as simple. Check these out:

Here’s an example of the beauty and simplicity of Forever Brilliant Moissanite

Benefits of Simple Engagement Rings

As with any category of engagement rings, there are many benefits to choosing a simple one. Here are a few:

1. First, they embody a timeless excellence. This style of ring has been around for ages. It has lasted because of the simplicity and minimalist beauty. In other words, it won’t go out of style.

2. They’re less costly, for a few reasons. First, the actual ring is usually a little less pricey due to the lack of costly embellishments. Second, there are less ongoing expenses and maintenance (though I should mention that Do Amore provides free inspection and maintenance on all our rings). Finally, it will cost less to insure your simple ring.

3. All of the above points help lead to this: your simple engagement ring will be less likely to be stolen.

4. Simple rings focus the beauty on the actual stone. Whereas extravagant rings disperse the attention on the overall band, a simple ring will accentuate the stone’s beauty.

5. If you have a very simple engagement ring, it’s easier to match the wedding bands.

Though many of the cons associated with simple engagement rings are due to personal subjections, we’ve come up with a few things you might want to consider before purchasing one.

1. The piece might not be as unique. Earlier, we referred to simple engagement rings as ‘timeless,’ which by definition means it won’t stand out as much.

2. They reveal the size of the center stone more easily. By that, I mean that on a more extravagant ring, the center stone could look bigger with a halo. Really, you could get a 3/4 carat stone with a halo and it would like a 1 carat. With a simple engagement ring, the stone will look true to size, which often means smaller.

How To Personalize A Simple Engagement Ring

Though the best part of a simple engagement ring is, well, its simplicity, sometimes couple would like to personalize it in certain ways. There are many ways to get creative with engagement rings, but here are 3 common ways:

1. Engraving (we offer free engraving on any ring).
2. Get it in rose gold (or palladium).
3. Get Moissanite or sapphire instead of a diamond.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a simple engagement ring, chances are, you’re already set on this type of style. So go ahead and follow the rabbit hole of some of the examples we gave above. However, it’s very likely you’ll have some questions we haven’t address in this post. We try to make these posts as educational as possible, but it’s always impossible to answer every question.

So, please, if you need any help making your decision with your engagement ring, feel free to give us a ring or an email. We’d love to help you out in any way we can.

Even with the growing popularity of eco-friendly weddings, many people simply don’t know where to begin. Also, many people think green weddings = more expensive weddings, which simply isn’t the case.

We’ll prove to you that planning a green wedding can be fun, affordable, and pretty easy to do. And if you’re interested in more awesome eco-friendly wedding tips, please sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page.

Why Plan a Green Wedding?

The reasons for having a green wedding ceremony are fairly obvious.

In order to keep our earth healthy, beautiful and green, we must reduce consumption and waste. Eco-friendly weddings are often cheaper, more creative, and more unique than traditional ceremonies. There’s every reason to at least try planning one.

According to Green Bride Guide, “Each one of the 2.5 million weddings this year in the United States will produce an average of 62 tons of carbon dioxide and 400-600 lbs of garbage.”

So by planning a green wedding, you’ll be helping to keep our environment healthy. You’ll also probably save money, which is enough benefit by itself.

You can also get creative with your reception, hosting it at a place like a museum or art gallery. Often the proceeds will go towards programs and community events, so you can feel great about that as well.

Try to find a company that makes eco-friendly wedding dresses, like Celia Grace. According to the Marcie Muehlke, the owner of Celia Grace, there are a few additional things you should look for:

For your bridesmaids: Pick a color, not a dress. Let your maids wear something they already own or let them choose a dress that is in their budget and looks good on them (and that they will wear again!).
Choose an eco wedding dress made from organic cotton, recycled polyester, or heirloom eco silk.

Photo credit: Sugiyama Photography / JS Photo

Eco-friendly Stationary

Lots of ideas in this arena, as it’s especially wasteful sometimes. Check out a few:

“Brides usually spend about 2-3% of the total wedding budget on invitations
& paper supplies. That might not seem like a lot, but for the average
$25,000 wedding that’s $700-$800, which is a lot to spend on paper! Why not
have your invitation double as the favors? This can easily happen! By
creating PLANTABLE invites you can give your guests a great memory when
they plant the seeds embedded in your invitation to grow a garden. There
are tons of options available online but be sure to check your local new
age paper supply stores to see if they can beat the prices. Some are made
from seed paper, and other contain packets of seeds.”

“Rather than choosing printed invitations, opt to take a paperless route. Consider sending out an e-invitation to make an impression and start off your celebration on an eco-friendly path. Paperless Post has beautiful designs to choose from and is very user-friendly. If you are a traditionalist and worry that the formality of paper is the right way to go, send out traditional wedding invitations printed on recycled paper or plantable seed paper instead. Twisted Limb Paperworks is a great option with beautiful yet environmentally friendly styles.”

The Flowers

Photo credit: Great Impressions Portrait Studio

Just remember these three things:

Local
Organic
In-Season

The Food

The best thing you can do is pick a caterer who specializes in eco-friendly food. There are certain areas where this is easier than others. For example, in Austin, where I live, organic and sustainable food is plentiful. Either way, when picking a caterer, look out for the words ‘sustainable, ‘organic,’ and ‘free-range.’

“Local products don’t have to travel as far to be sold, meaning
that less fuel is burned in the process of getting those foods to your
table (which means less of a carbon footprint). You’ll also want to be sure
that your caterer uses actual dishes, silverware, tablecloths and napkins
rather than disposable plastic to serve your guests. This reduces the waste
because dishware and linens can be used over and over again. If budget is
your concern, see if the catering company can use biodegradable products
made from recycled materials whenever possible.”

“When planning a green wedding, the reception is where most of your time
and energy will be focused. Where are your caterers getting their product
from? Do they buy local, and are they using 100% organic ingredients? Try
to get sustainable decor and use zero plastic during both cocktail hour and
the reception. We are seeing a lot of couples use seedling invitations,
which is a fun idea and communicates the green theme to your guests from
the very start.”

Eco-friendly wedding favors

Traditional favors are often among the biggest culprits for wedding waste – often wrapped in plastic, disposable, and quickly forgotten. There are a few solutions to this. One idea is to forego favors altogether. Instead, make a donation for each guest to your favorite charity. Another idea is to give edible favors, which are certainly more practical and delicious.

As Aviva Samuels from Kiss The Planner says, “Rather than giving useless wedding favors to your guests that will likely wind up in the trash and eventually a landfill, give them a food favor that is may be homemade, locally manufactured or grown. ”

“Consider jam to packaged in a jar that can be re-used by guests in the future. Or beer or wine that is bottled by you or a local establishment. A decorative bottle would make a lovely decanter for guests after the edible part is consumed and a note to that effect suggesting the idea to guests will let them know your intentions that they will be more likely to oblige.”

Above all else, try to find a green wedding planner. They can help you accomplish everything and more on this list!

Case study: Julie Loven from The Effortless Girl

Julie, The Effortless Girl

Julie, who lives in the Appalachian Mountains of Western NC, wanted to incorporate the outdoors in her wedding. There were a few reasons for this. First, they loved the mountains. Second, they were on a strict budget. Finally, the eco-friendly value of having a green wedding was a plus. Here’s how they accomplished an unforgettable green wedding:

1. We used recycled paper for the invitations but I created a medallion that tied the look together. The actual tie was jute twine that is eco friendly also. The wooden medallion was cut from a left over piece of wood from a wood crafters store – they were going to throw it out until I asked for it and cut medallions from it that I burned our date on.

2. We used items from the yard (pine cones & sticks) to make the base of the centerpieces for the reception. The florist added flowers but it was mostly foliage from my yard.

3. Our reception was held down the hill from my home in a community building. It is beside a bubbling creek so the decorations were mostly done for us with nature. We used bees wax candles to decorate the tables in lights. Everything was sourced locally. The church for the ceremony is about 5 minutes from home and was so beautiful inside that we didn’t need to purchase decorations. We used the bees wax candles in the church.

4. Our party favors were homemade cupcakes in recycled paper boxes for guests to take home.

Final Thoughts on Planning a Green Wedding

We gave you a lot of ideas for planning a green wedding, and it might have been overwhelming.

Look at it like this:

Whatever you can do to save energy, money and the environment is worth it.

Whether you hire a green wedding planner to implement all of this and then some, or just use paperless posts, you’ll be doing your wallet and the earth a favor. Plus, some of these ideas (like all of Julie’s in the case study above) are downright fun and memorable.

If you’ve got more questions about planning a green wedding, feel free to reach out to us. We hear the coolest ideas on a daily basis and wouldn’t mind letting you in on the secrets.

Also, please sign up for our mailing list or like our Facebook page if you’re interested in eco-friendly weddings and engagement rings.

While most guides to wedding planning and planning your wedding budget focus specifically on the big day, that’s not all that matters. To revel in a stress free married life, you should plan in three parts:

Before the Wedding
The Big Day
After the Wedding

You’ll see that a little planning will go a long way. And it’s not as stressful as you’d think. Okay, let’s get into it!

Before the Wedding

Saving money and budgeting pre-wedding is one of the most important measures you can take. Here are a few big ticket wins to focus on:

While both gold and platinum are priced similarly per gram, platinum is denser. It’s a wonderful metal, but it’s the most expensive. The best options for beautiful and affordable engagement rings are 14k white gold and palladium. (side note: all of our rings are ethically made with 100% recycled metals, whichever metal you go with)

Tip #3: Consider Moissanite or Sapphire.

Moissanite was originally discovered in a meteor crater and is a super rare mineral. It looks very similar to a diamond. Actually, it’s more brilliant than a diamond, which is why some people prefer Forever Brilliant Moissanite to diamonds. Check our our post on diamonds vs moissanite if you’d like to learn more.

Though more people think of sapphites as being blue, they’re actually available in all the colors of the rainbow. Even excellent quality sapphires (AAA rating) can offer substantial savings over a diamond.

Engagement ring insurance is probably a good idea. It usually costs from $1-$2 per year for every $100 it would cost to replace. Basically this means if your ring would cost $7000 to replace, insurance would be $70-$140 per year. This goes back to our previous point – if you save money on your engagement ring, you’ll save money on your engagement ring insurance.

The Key to Saving for Your Wedding

The strategy is simple:

Set small goals.

Instead of impossibly ambitious goals, set yourself up for victory. When saving for the wedding, set up little challenges. One example: eat dinner at home 5 days a week. Other than that, indulge guilt free.

In addition, if it helps you shop, it’s okay to go to Whole Foods instead of a cheaper grocery store. Overall, if you shop and cook at home, you’ll eat healthier, eat at home, and save money. Whatever incentivizes you to do that will result in a small victory that adds up over time.

Finally, when you cook at home, make extra so you have lunch leftovers. Again, this helps you eat more healthfully and saves you money. Though for the sake of sanity, you should definitely feel free to hit up Chipotle now and then still 🙂

The important lesson to take away:

Set up savings habits that will not only carry you to your wedding day, but will allow you to flourish for a lifetime in financial stability.

The Big Day: How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget

As for the actual wedding, there are a thousands ways to save money and still enjoy your most special day:

Schedule the wedding in off-peak season.
Don’t get married on a Saturday.
Consider an on-campus marriage ceremony.
Fake your wedding cake (or forego it).
Hire a friend as a DJ.
Choose a nontraditional venue.

There are also a ton of creative and green ways to save money on your wedding. Let me give you a few ideas:

Consider buying instead of renting a tuxedo. Something you can wear the next 10 years. Chances are, it will look better than the one size fits all that you would have rented. Plus, you’ll get to wear it on swanky occasions for a while.
Champagne toasts are one of the biggest wastes of money at a wedding. Do a clean water toast instead and use that moment to be thankful for having clean water.
Get creative with wedding favors. Often, these are wasteful trinkets. Instead, think about donating some dinero for each guest in a cause you like.
The Honeymoon

Go nuts. It’s your honeymoon; enjoy it!

After the Wedding

Truth is, after the wedding, saving is just a continuation of your pre-wedding habits.

Small wins, automated savings, open communication, etc, etc.

There are a couple creative habits you can set for your relationship, though. Here’s one from Do Amore founder, Krish:

“Set expectations for gifts. For example, my wife and I love to travel. So we decided that each year, instead of traditional anniversary gifts, we trade turns planning our annual trip. On our anniversary day, we’re excited to hear this year’s travel plans. It’s actually much more fun than opening a box of chocolates! And it’s a lot more practical, since we’d take a trip anyway.”

Often, the leaders in sustainability are colleges and universities. With the budget for innovative programs and progressive and active student bodies, all the ingredients are there for eco-friendly innovation.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been chronicling the most eco-friendly colleges in the country – from the Midwest, to the West Coast, and all the way down South. This week, we’re ranking the top ten most eco-friendly East Coast colleges.

It’s no surprise that the East Coast harbors some of our most inspiring and innovative campus in the country. When it comes to sustainability, it’s no different.

The factors that went into ranking these East Coast colleges include surveys of students and faculty, awards and recognition, number and diversity of environmental programs, and eco-friendly campus policies. Without further ado, here are the top 10 most eco-friendly colleges on the East Coast:

PS We’re developing ethical class rings. If you have a student group or organization that would like to be involved with the pre-launch, please shoot us an email here 🙂

James Madison University is not only historic and beautiful, but it is a prime example of what a conscious student body and faculty can do in the name of sustainability. The school has brought a farmer’s market to campus as well as renovated their transportation system on campus. They’ve also expanded their renowned recycling and composting program. Finally, students are actively engaged in environmental activism, forming multiple popular clubs on campus like the E.A.R.T.H. Club.

8. Bryant University

Bryan University, though small, is an exceptional educational college with an inspiring focus on eco-friendliness. Located in ..They have built a 10 part framework that includes: academics, research, energy, buildings and land use, food and dining, transportation, supply chain management, and community engagement. They’ve got a silver rating from AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking and Rating System, and they offer over 40 classes related to sustainability.

7. Framingham State University

Sitting on a picturesque campus just 20 miles outside of Boston is Framingham State University. This school has come a long way in sustainability in the past few years. Since enacting their annual Climate Action plan, they’ve had some major accomplishments, including renovating 75% of their campus buildings to be more sustainable.

6. University of Vermont

The University of Vermont is known nationally for its green campus and sustainable practices – and with good reason. Sustainability is baked to the core at this quaint school in Burlington, Vermont. Their Office of Sustainability coordinates a variety of programs, including the epic Earth Day celebration each year and the popular Eco-Reps program.

5. Cornell University

Obviously a meritocratic academic institution, Cornell is also a leader in sustainability practices. To start, the school received a Gold rating in March 2014 from AASHE.org STARS, and they’ve been a Tree Campus USA campus since 2009. There are numerous well-funded resources for students and faculty interested in eco-friendly practices, including the Cornell University Sustainable Design, the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, and their numerous environmentally-focused courses.

4. Green Mountain College

Green Mountain College is a school that sounds eco-friendly – and it is. Located in the beautiful Poultney, Vermont, it is a tiny school with an enrollment of <1000. Still, the school is a leader in sustainability education, with numerous courses in environmental science as well as their Green MBA. They’ve got an ambitious sustainability action plan that is set to take course until 2020. They promote recycling, cycling, alternative energy use, a bottled water ban, and they’re proud of being members in the Eco League.

3. Dickinson College

Dickinson College is also a proud member of the Eco League. This school, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is a beacon of environmental friendliness. Through a variety of Center For Sustainability Education sponsored programs, the school is in full flourish with eco-friendly activities. Many students and staff also support the Dickinson College Organic Farm, which supplies the college’s dining hall with delicious and organic food. Overall, sustainability is a required attitude at Dickinson College, and as such, the school is helping to make the world a better, greener place.

2. Frostburg State University

Frostburg State University is a college of wonderful academics and a beautiful and sustainable campus. In 2007, they officially became a charter member of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. In addition, more than fifteen departments offer courses environmentalism, making it an academic leader in environmental science. Frostburg also recently opened its Sustainable Energy Research Facility to host variety of research projects.

1. American University

American University, located in our nation’s capital, is an academically renowned university that also excels in sustainable leadership. As such, they offer a Masters in Sustainability Management, in addition to hundreds of other environmentally-focused classes and degrees (~1,079 courses in 2012 by one estimate). In addition to their numerous environmental degrees, they also offer certificates for their Certificate Environmental Assessment and their Green Teaching Certificate program. Finally, almost every part of campus is touched by this remarkable attitude of eco-friendliness, from their green newsletter to earth month, from the Ecolympics to Green Graduation Pledge. American University is truly a national and world leader in college sustainability.

As such, it’s inspiring to us when other organizations lead eco-friendly initiatives as well, especially colleges. We’ve been profiling the most eco-friendly colleges in the west and south, and this week we’re showcasing Midwest colleges that are making the world a better place.

The factors that went into ranking these mid-western schools include surveys of students and faculty, awards and recognition, number and diversity of environmental programs, and eco-friendly campus policies. Without further ado, here are the top 10 most eco-friendly colleges in the Midwest:

PS I’m going to let you in on a secret. We’re planning on creating class rings to help develop education in the world. If you’re interested at all in this, shoot us an email!

10. University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh

Starting our list of most eco-friendly midwest colleges is UW-Oshkosh, located on the Fox River near Appleton, WI. In recent years, the school has doubled down on its green initiatives. As a results, they have won some recognition, including being named a Tree Campus USA. Their Earth Week celebration is large and impactful, and they have dozens of other eco-initiatives. One substantial initiative was eliminating food trays from the cafeteria. This saves around 123,000 gallons of water per year, and of course saves in food waste as well.

9. University of Wisconsin – Madison

The University of Wisconsin – Madison is not only one of the country’s top academic research schools, but it is also leading the way in sustainability. In a variety of ways, actually. First, the student body is famous for its participation and passion. They organize clubs like the Environmental Club, in addition to taking courses in sustainable management (in which you can get a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or a certification). Further, the Nelson Institute and the Office of Sustainability are central hubs for all things green and eco-friendly.

8. St Norbert College

St. Norbert College, located in De Pere, WI, is a small and beautiful school resting directly by the Fox River. They prove their eco-friendliness with a variety of programs. First, their student body is clearly interested in preserving the earth, forming organizations like the Garden Club and the Environmental Club. Then there’s the Green Initiative Fund in which each semester each full-time student allocates $7.50 to this green fund which is used to develop environmental projects.

7. Northwestern University

Northwestern is another top tier university that has oh so many green initiatives. Their students and faculty can sign the Green Pledge, in which they pledge to contribute to a healthier and more sustainable environment. There are a wide variety of programs, courses, and degrees in the sustainability field as well. Finally, their Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern is one of the most comprehensive resources we’ve seen.

6. Central Michigan University

Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Central Michigan University is a good example of what colleges should strive to do. They have great educational resources for interested students and faculty. They have programs to enable further learning. And they have the Great Lakes Institute for Sustainable Systems, which places a central spotlight on sustainability at their campus.

5. Indiana State University

Indiana State University, one of the Best in the Midwest, is located in Terre Haute, Indiana. They’re #5 on this list because of the emphasis they place on green initiatives, like their phenomenal Earth Day celebration. Of course they have other unique initiatives as well, like their Sustainability minor and Sustainability walking tour. Overall, eco-friendliness is a core trait of this campus.

4. Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University bakes eco-friendliness to its core. Every campus meal is also offered as a vegetarian option. The campus reduced waste by 25%, and 100% of renewable energy is produced on location. 35% of the school’s total energy supply is produced from renewable resources. They also support their students by offering a huge green jobs fair. Read more about their variety of projects here.

3. Iowa State University

Iowa State University is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a number of outstanding green initiatives, starting with their resource center at the Office of Sustainability. They offer programs, initiatives, and funding opportunities for ambitious and eco-conscious students looking to start their own projects.

UW-Stevens point hits our list as the top most eco-friendly school in the Midwest, and for good reason. It is famous for its environmental science programs, as students from around the country apply to be involved. The school also has a Green Fund, which allows students to lead and take part in large scale environmental initiatives. They’re consistently listed on The Princeton Review’s Green College Honor Roll. This is a school that bakes eco-friendliness to its core, and most importantly, every student on campus is proud of that and exemplifies an eco-conscious attitude.

Most of the tough work is over. Once you’ve picked the perfect engagement ring, the rest of the ride is downhill. Though, choosing a men’s wedding band is still a difficult choice.

After all, it’s the most important ring you’ll ever wear.

Here’s a guide for getting the perfect one:

Men’s Weddings Bands: A Brief History

Women’s wedding rings have long been a symbol of eternal love. The Egyptians and the Greeks were thought to have chosen the ‘ring finger’ because they believed it contained a vein leading directly to the heart.

I have no idea if this is true or not. Either way, this legend has influenced many communities throughout history to gift their brides wedding rings.

How did diamonds come into play? The first recorded diamond engagement ring was given by the Archduke of Hammond in 1477. Diamonds were presumably chosen for their beautiful sparkle and hard characteristics. Their virtual indestructibility symbolizes eternal love.

However, it is only recently that men have begun wearing wedding bands.

During WWII, men wore wedding rings to remind them of their wives back home. They were used as a symbol of commitment while overseas. During the next few decades, they became increasingly popular for civilians and are now a staple of modern matrimony.

Pick Your Metal

Men’s wedding rings are like any other piece of wedding jewelry, in that they come in a few flavors.

White gold is probably the most popular ring for men. But white gold contains nickel. Many people are allergic to nickel. If you are one of them, get a different type of ring.
Platinum is more expensive. It’s also surprisingly durable and dense, as well as hypoallergenic.
Yellow gold is what most people think of when they hear ‘gold wedding ring.’ It’s warm and modern.
Rose gold has been increasing in popularity. It is made with a mix of pure gold and copper, which emits a rosy/champagne hue (check out our men’s rose gold guide for more info).
Pick the Right Ring for your Personality and Lifestyle

First off:

Do you have a job or hobby that could potential damage your ring? Spend a lot of time lifting heavy weights or working with tools, then you might want a more durable ring.

Choosing a men’s wedding band should be a lot of fun. Once you’ve got your budget decided, really try to pick a ring that complements your personality and relationship.

One of our favorite things to do is create custom rings. We love doing engravings. If you’re interested in a unique ring like this, reach out to us. We can show you some cool things we’ve done before and help you come up with something cool for your own ring.

As you can see, being allergic to your wedding ring or engagement jewelry can put a damper on the whole Hollywood romance thing. However, the problem is relatively easy to solve with a little bit of knowledge and some precautions.

Here’s the deal:

What we want to avoid is a condition called “wedding-ring dermatitis,” a skin infection caused by a metal in your beautiful jewelry. It can strike years after you first say “I do” and put on the engagement ring.

What’s the cause of “wedding-ring dermatitis?”

The most common cause is an allergy to a metal in your ring. For most people, the culprit is nickel, which is included in various amounts in different jewelry, especially white gold engagement rings. That’s a big reason people will choose alternatives to gold, including platinum and palladium. (read more about gold vs platinum jewelry here)

Nickel allergies are so common, in fact, that nickel was named Allergen of the Year in 2008. Apparently, nickel allergies affect about 24-36% of women and about 7-15% of men. So you’re not alone if you’ve got nickel allergies.

But here’s the crazy part:

You can develop nickel allergies at any time in your life. You could be married happily for 5 years when suddenly you develop allergies to your ring.

The other common cause of wedding-ring dermatitis is simply when moisture or soap get trapped under your ring. It can happen to anyone – allergies or not – and it can happen with any type of ring.

Both causes of irritation result in the same symptoms: a red, scaly rash under your ring that is itchy and annoying.

How Do You Tell The Difference?

Here’s a chart to explain the differences in causes:

Allergy
Irritation
There’s nickel in your ring
There’s no nickel in your ring
Reaction comes on slowly
Reaction comes on quickly
Reaction lasts longer
Irritation clears up if you take the ring off and keep your finger clean and dry
Possible Solutions To Your Wedding Ring Allergies
First off, the best way to solve this problem is with prevention. Are you allergic to nickel? If you don’t know, you can tape a nickel coin to your arm for a day. If this results in a skin irritation, then you can assume you’re allergic.

If you have nickel allergies, look into alternative engagement and wedding rings. Rose gold is a good one. So is yellow gold. Indeed, platinum is wonderful as well. Whatever you do, ask your jeweler to make certain there is no nickel in your ring.